Mental Health crisis ends in tragedy

By LeaAnne Klentzman

Monday afternoon, November 4, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call for help with a barricaded subject in psychiatric crisis in the Sunrise Meadow neighborhood south of Richmond in Fort Bend County.

According to the Sheriff’s spokesman Bob Heanel, 26 year old Michael Blair, a resident of the home, was suicidal. He had barricaded himself in his mother’s home in the 7000 block of Dawn Bloom. According to reports, Blair had been barricaded in the bathroom since early afternoon with a knife. His family called 911 at about 5:45 p.m., that same afternoon seeking help from authorities.

Haenel said, “When the deputies entered the residence, they were confronted by Michael Blair, 26, who was holding a knife. The deputy attempted to subdue Blair with a taser to no avail. In close quarters, Blair advanced toward the deputy who shot and fatally wounded Blair.”

The case remains under investigation and all four deputies involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave with pay. The deputy who discharged his weapon is an 11 year veteran said Haenel.

As a result of his death, Blair’s family held a protest the following Thursday with a Houston activist in front of The Fort Bend Sheriff’s Office seeking the institution of a Mental Health Unit. Haenel said that had been in the works for year and they were in the process of activating a Team.

The case is being investigated by the Internal Affairs Division of the Sheriff’s office.

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Posted by FortBendStar
on Nov 13 2013. Filed under Crime.
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